Structural connector and structural system

ABSTRACT

A structural connector for assembling a plurality of structural members includes a main shank, a first bolt extending though the main shank, a first plug threadedly engaging a first blot shaft of the first bolt, a second bolt extending through the main shank and the first bolt shaft, and a second plug threadedly engaging a second bolt shaft of the second bolt. Each of two shank ends of the main shank, a first bolt head of the first bolt, a first plug head of the first plug, a second bolt head of the second bolt, and a second plug head of the second plug is configured to threadedly engage a structural connecting end of each of the structural members.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from Taiwanese patent application no. 105205247, filed on Apr. 15, 2016.

FIELD

The disclosure relates to a structural connector, more particularly to a structural connector for assembling a plurality of structural members, and a structural system.

BACKGROUND

As shown in FIG. 1, a conventional structural connector 1 is used for connecting two structural members 2 extending in two different directions. When connecting three structural members 2 extending in three different directions, two such conventional structural connectors 1 should be used.

Taiwanese utility model no. M342068 discloses a conventional structural connector. A plurality of the conventional structural connectors can be used for assembling a plurality of plastic panels into a plastic storage cabinet. Each of the structural connectors has at least three slots which extend respectively in three different directions. Each of the three slots is configured to permit a corner of each of the plastic panels to be inserted thereinto. However, the structural connectors and the plastic panels may be disassembled when the plastic storage cabinet sustains a relatively heavy load.

SUMMARY

Therefore, an object of the disclosure is to provide a structural connector for assembling a plurality of structural members into a structural system in a convenient manner. Another object of the disclosure is to provide a structural system which may sustain a relatively heavy load.

According to a first aspect of the disclosure, a structural connector is used for assembling a plurality of structural members, and includes a main connecting unit, a first connecting unit, and a second connecting unit. The main connecting unit extends in a longitudinal direction to terminate at two main connecting end segments each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members. The main connecting unit has a larger-dimension through hole extending in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a first smaller-dimension through hole extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. The first connecting unit extends in the first direction and through the larger-dimension through hole to terminate at two first connecting end segments each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members. The first connecting unit has a second smaller-dimension through hole which extends in the second direction. The second connecting unit extends in the second direction and through the first and second smaller-dimension through holes to terminate at two second connecting end segments each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members.

According to a second aspect of the disclosure, a structural connector is used for assembling a plurality of structural members each having at least one structural connecting end. The structural connector includes a main shank, a first bolt, a first plug, a second bolt, and a second plug. The main shank extends in a longitudinal direction to terminate at two shank ends each being configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end. The main shank has a larger-dimension through hole extending in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and a first smaller-dimension through hole extending in a second direction transverse to both the longitudinal direction and the first direction. The first bolt has a first bolt head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a first bolt shaft which extends from the first bolt head in the first direction through the larger-dimension through hole to terminate at a first shaft end. The first bolt shaft has a second smaller-dimension through hole which extends in the second direction and which is configured to be in alignment with the first smaller-dimension through hole. The first plug has a first plug head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a first plug stem which extends from the first plug head in the first direction and which is configured to threadedly engage the first shaft end. The second bolt has a second bolt head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a second bolt shaft which extends from the second bolt head in the second direction through the first and second smaller-dimension through holes to terminate at a second shaft end. The second plug has a second plug head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a second plug stem which extends from the second plug head in the second direction, and which is configured to threadedly engage the second shaft end.

According to a third aspect of the disclosure, a structural system includes a plurality of structural members, a plurality of main connecting units, a plurality of first connecting units, and a plurality of second connecting units. Each of the main connecting units extends in a longitudinal direction to terminate at two main connecting end segments. Each of the main connecting end segments is configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members. Each of the main connecting units has a larger-dimension through hole extending in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a first smaller-dimension through hole extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction. Each of the first connecting units extends in the first direction and though the larger-dimension through hole of a corresponding one of the main connecting units to terminate at two first connecting end segments. Each of the first connecting end segments is configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members. Each of the first connecting units has a second smaller-dimension through hole which extends in the second direction. Each of the second connecting units extends in the second direction and through the first smaller-dimension through hole of the corresponding one of the main connecting units and the second smaller-dimension through hole of a corresponding one of the first connecting units to terminate at two second connecting end segments. Each of the second connecting end segments is configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the disclosure will become apparent in the following detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view illustrating a conventional structural connector;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a structural connector according to an embodiment of the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the structural connector shown in FIG. 2 in an assembled state;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the structural connector shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating that parts of the structural connector are assembled before assembling a plurality of structural members;

FIG. 6 is a partial exploded perspective view illustrating that the parts of the structural connector are respectively assembled to the structural members before the parts are assembled; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a structural system according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to FIGS. 2 to 4, a structural connector according to an embodiment of the disclosure is shown to include a main connecting unit 2, a first connecting unit 3, and a second connecting unit 4. As shown in FIG. 5, the structural connector is used for assembling a plurality of structural members 5 each having at least one structural connecting end 51 which may have a threaded plug 500 or a threaded socket (not shown).

The main connecting unit 2 extends in a longitudinal direction (X) to terminate at two main connecting end segments 200 each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members 5. Each of the main connecting end segments 200 may have a threaded plug (not shown) or a threaded socket 100 for threaded engagement with the structural connecting end 51.

As shown in FIG. 2, the main connecting unit 2 has a main shank 20 extending in the longitudinal direction (X) to terminate at two shank ends 201 each being configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end 51. Each of the main end segments 200 has a corresponding one of the two shank ends 201. The main shank 20 has a larger-dimension through hole 213 and a first smaller-dimension through hole 214. The larger-dimension through hole 213 extends in a first direction (Z) transverse to the longitudinal direction (X). The first smaller-dimension through hole 214 extends in a second direction (Y) transverse to both the longitudinal direction (X) and the first direction (Z). In this embodiment, the first direction (Z) is perpendicular to the longitudinal direction (X), and the second direction (Y) is perpendicular to both of the longitudinal direction (X) and the first direction (Z).

In this embodiment, the main shank 20 has a main segment 21 and a terminal segment 22. The main segment 21 has the larger-dimension through hole 213 and the first smaller-dimension through hole 214, and extends from one of the shank ends 201 to terminate at a first juncture 210. The terminal segment 22 extends from the other one of the shank ends 201 to terminate at a second juncture 220 configured to permit the terminal segment 22 to be detachably connected to the first juncture 210 of the main segment 21.

In this embodiment, the main connecting unit 2 further has a plug-and-socket joint 202 which is disposed between the first and second junctures 210, 220, and which includes a threaded plug 203 and a threaded socket 204.

The first connecting unit 3 extends in the first direction (Z) and through the larger-dimension through hole 213 to terminate at two first connecting end segments 300 each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members 5. Each of the first connecting end segments 300 may have a threaded plug (not shown) or a threaded socket 100 for threaded engagement with the structural connecting end 51.

As shown in FIG. 2, the first connecting unit 3 includes a first bolt 31 and a first plug 32.

The first bolt 31 has a first bolt head 311 and a first bolt shaft 312. The first bolt head 311 is configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end 51. The first bolt shaft 312 extends from the first bolt head 311 in the first direction (Z) through the larger-dimension through hole 213 to terminate at a first shaft end 310. The first bolt shaft 312 has a second smaller-dimension through hole 313 which extends in the second direction (Y) and which is configured to be in alignment with the first smaller-dimension through hole 214.

The first plug 32 has a first plug head 321 and a first plug stem 322. The first plug head 321 is configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end 51. The first plug stem 322 extends from the first plug head 321 in the first direction (Z) and is configured to threadedly engage the first shaft end 310. Each of the first connecting end segments 300 has a corresponding one of the first bolt head 311 and the first plug head 321.

The second connecting unit 4 extends in the second direction (Y) and through the first and second smaller-dimension through holes 214, 313 to terminate at two second connecting end segments 400 each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members 5. Each of the second connecting end segments 400 may have a threaded plug (not shown) or a threaded socket 100 for threaded engagement with the structural connecting end 51.

As shown in FIG. 2, the second connecting unit 4 includes a second bolt 41 and a second plug 42.

The second bolt 41 has a second bolt head 411 and a second bolt shaft 412. The second bolt head 411 is configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end 51. The second bolt shaft 412 extends from the second bolt head 411 in the second direction (Y) through the first and second smaller-dimension through holes 214, 313 to terminate at a second shaft end 410.

The second plug 42 has a second plug head 421 and a second plug stem 422. The second plug head 421 is configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end 51. The second plug stem 422 extends from the second plug head 421 in the second direction (Y), and is configured to threadedly engage the second shaft end 410. Each of the second connecting end segments 400 has a corresponding one of the second bolt head 411 and the second plug head 421.

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, each of the structural members 5 is in the form of a rod, and extends to terminate at two structural connecting ends 51 each being in the form of a threaded plug 500. As shown in FIG. 2, each of the shank ends 201, the first and second bolt heads 311, 411, and the first and second plug heads 321, 421 has a threaded socket 100 configured to threadedly receive the threaded plug 500 of one of the structural connecting ends 51 of a corresponding one of the structural members 5.

In addition, each of the first and second plug stems 322, 422 is in the form of a threaded plug 101, and each of the first and second shaft ends 310, 410 has a threaded socket 102 configured to threadedly receive the threaded plug 101 of a corresponding one of the first and second plug stems 322, 422.

Furthermore, a diameter of the main shank 20 is greater than a diameter of the first bolt shaft 312, and the diameter of the first bolt shaft 312 is greater than a diameter of the second bolt shaft 412.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the main, first, and second connecting units 2, 3, 4 may be firstly assembled into the structural connector, and the structural connector is then assembled with six structural members 5.

Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the main segment 21, the terminal segment 22, the first bolt 31, the first plug 32, the second blot 41, and the second plug 42 are firstly assembled with the six structural members 5, respectively, and are then assembled into the structural connector. The structural connecting ends 51 of the six structural members 5, which are not threadedly engaged with the structural connector, may be threadedly engaged with another structural connectors, respectively, for making a structural system.

As shown in FIG. 7, the structural system includes the structural members 5 and a plurality of structural connectors each including the main connecting unit 2, the first connecting unit 3, and the second connecting unit 4. With the provision of the structural connectors, the structural system can be easily assembled and may sustain a relatively heavy load.

In one structural connector, when each one of the main segment 21, the terminal segment 22, the first bolt 31, the first plug 32, the second blot 41, and the second plug 42 is worn, it is only necessary to replace the worn one with a new one. Therefore, maintenance of the structural connector is cost-saving.

In another embodiment, the structural connector may be enclosed in a housing which is configured to permit the shank ends 201, the first and second bolt heads 311, 411, the first and second plug heads 321, 421 to be exposed from the housing. In this case, the second connecting unit 4 can be prevented from sliding relative to the main connecting unit 2.

In yet another embodiment, the second bolt shaft 412 may have a reduced length so as to permit the second bolt head 411 and the second plug head 421 to abut against the main segment 21 of the main shank 20. In this case, the second connecting unit 4 can be also prevented from sliding relative to the main connecting unit 2.

In the description above, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details have been set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art, that one or more other embodiments may be practiced without some of these specific details. It should also be appreciated that reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” an embodiment with an indication of an ordinal number and so forth means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic may be included in the practice of the disclosure. It should be further appreciated that in the description, various features are sometimes grouped together in a single embodiment, figure, or description thereof for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure and aiding in the understanding of various inventive aspects.

While the disclosure has been described in connection with what are considered the exemplary embodiments, it is understood that this disclosure is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but is intended to cover various arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent arrangements. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A structural connector for assembling a plurality of structural members, said structural connector comprising: a main connecting unit extending in a longitudinal direction to terminate at two main connecting end segments each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members, said main connecting unit having a larger-dimension through hole extending in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a first smaller-dimension through hole extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a first connecting unit extending in the first direction and through said larger-dimension through hole to terminate at two first connecting end segments each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members, said first connecting unit having a second smaller-dimension through hole which extends in the second direction; and a second connecting unit extending in the second direction and through said first and second smaller-dimension through holes to terminate at two second connecting end segments each being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members.
 2. The structural connector according to claim 1, wherein each of said main, first, and second connecting end segments has a threaded plug or a threaded socket.
 3. The structural connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the structural members has at least one structural connecting end, and said main connecting unit has a main shank with two shank ends each being configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, each of said main end segments having a corresponding one of said two shank ends, said main connecting unit including a terminal segment and a main segment which has said larger-dimension through hole and said first smaller-dimension through hole, and which extends from one of said shank ends to terminate at a first juncture, said terminal segment extending from the other one of said shank ends to terminate at a second juncture configured to permit said terminal segment to be detachably connected to said first juncture of said main segment.
 4. The structural connector according to claim 3, wherein said main connecting unit further has a plug-and-socket joint disposed between said first and second junctures.
 5. The structural connector according to claim 4, wherein said plug-and socket joint includes a threaded plug and a threaded socket.
 6. The structural connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the structural members has at least one structural connecting end, and said first connecting unit includes a first bolt having a first bolt head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a first bolt shaft which extends from said first bolt head in the first direction through said larger-dimension through hole to terminate at a first shaft end, said first bolt shaft having said second smaller-dimension through hole, and a first plug having a first plug head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a first plug stem which extends from said first plug head in the first direction and which is configured to threadedly engage said first shaft end, wherein each of said first connecting end segments has a corresponding one of said first bolt head and said first plug head.
 7. The structural connector according to claim 1, wherein each of the structural members has at least one structural connecting end, and said second connecting unit includes a second bolt having a second bolt head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a second bolt shaft which extends from said second bolt head in the second direction through said first and second smaller-dimension through holes to terminate at a second shaft end, and a second plug having a second plug head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a second plug stem which extends from said second plug head in the second direction, and which is configured to threadedly engage said second shaft end, wherein each of said second connecting end segments has a corresponding one of said second bolt head and said second plug head.
 8. A structural connector for assembling a plurality of structural members each having at least one structural connecting end, said structural connector comprising: a main shank extending in a longitudinal direction to terminate at two shank ends each being configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, said main shank having a larger-dimension through hole extending in a first direction transverse to the longitudinal direction, and a first smaller-dimension through hole extending in a second direction transverse to both the longitudinal direction and the first direction; a first bolt having a first bolt head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a first bolt shaft which extends from said first bolt head in the first direction through said larger-dimension through hole to terminate at a first shaft end, said first bolt shaft having a second smaller-dimension through hole which extends in the second direction and which is configured to be in alignment with said first smaller-dimension through hole; a first plug having a first plug head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a first plug stem which extends from said first plug head in the first direction and which is configured to threadedly engage said first shaft end; a second bolt having a second bolt head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a second bolt shaft which extends from said second bolt head in the second direction through said first and second smaller-dimension through holes to terminate at a second shaft end; and a second plug having a second plug head configured to threadedly engage the structural connecting end, and a second plug stem which extends from said second plug head in the second direction, and which is configured to threadedly engage said second shaft end.
 9. The structural connector according to claim 8, wherein the structural connecting end is in the form of a threaded plug, and each of said shank ends, said first and second bolt heads, and said first and second plug heads has a threaded socket configured to threadedly receive the threaded plug of the structural connecting end.
 10. The structural connector according to claim 8, wherein each of said first and second plug stems is in the form of a threaded plug, and each of said first and second shaft ends has a threaded socket configured to threadedly receive the threaded plug of a corresponding one of said first and second plug stems.
 11. The structural connector according to claim 8, wherein said main shank has a terminal segment and a main segment which has said larger-dimension through hole and said first smaller-dimension through hole, and which extends from one of said shank ends to terminate at a first juncture, said terminal segment extending from the other one of said shank ends to terminate at a second juncture configured to permit said terminal segment to be detachably connected to said first juncture of said main segment.
 12. The structural connector according to claim 11, further comprising a plug-and-socket joint which is disposed between said first and second junctures.
 13. The structural connector according to claim 12, wherein said plug-and socket joint includes a threaded plug and a threaded socket.
 14. A structural system comprising: a plurality of structural members; a plurality of main connecting units each extending in a longitudinal direction to terminate at two main connecting end segments, each of said main connecting end segments being configured to be connectable to at least one of said structural members, each of said main connecting units having a larger-dimension through hole extending in a first direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, and a first smaller-dimension through hole extending in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction; a plurality of first connecting units each extending in the first direction and though said larger-dimension through hole of a corresponding one of said main connecting units to terminate at two first connecting end segments, each of said first connecting end segments being configured to be connectable to at least one of said structural members, each of said first connecting units having a second smaller-dimension through hole which extends in the second direction; and a plurality of second connecting units each extending in the second direction and through said first smaller-dimension through hole of the corresponding one of said main connecting units and said second smaller-dimension through hole of a corresponding one of said first connecting units to terminate at two second connecting end segments, each of said second connecting end segments being configured to be connectable to at least one of the structural members.
 15. The structural system according to claim 14, wherein each of said main, first, and second connecting end segments has a threaded plug or a threaded socket.
 16. The structural system according to claim 14, wherein each of said structural members has at least one structural connecting end, and each of said main connecting units has a main shank with two shank ends each being configured to threadedly engage said structural connecting end, each of said main end segments of each of said main connecting units having a corresponding one of said two shank ends, each of said main connecting units including a terminal segment and a main segment which has said larger-dimension through hole and said first smaller-dimension through hole, and which extends from one of said shank ends to terminate at a first juncture, said terminal segment extending from the other one of said shank ends to terminate at a second juncture configured to permit said terminal segment to be detachably connected to said first juncture of said main segment.
 17. The structural system according to claim 14, wherein each of said structural members has at least one structural connecting end, and each of said first connecting units includes a first bolt having a first bolt head configured to threadedly engage said structural connecting end, and a first bolt shaft which extends from said first bolt head in the first direction through said larger-dimension through hole of the corresponding one of said main connecting units to terminate at a first shaft end, said first bolt shaft having said second smaller-dimension through hole, and a first plug having a first plug head configured to threadedly engage said structural connecting end, and a first plug stem which extends from said first plug head in the first direction and which is configured to threadedly engage said first shaft end, wherein each of said first connecting end segments of each of said first connecting units has a corresponding one of said first bolt head and said first plug head.
 18. The structural system according to claim 14, wherein each of said structural members has at least one structural connecting end, and each of said second connecting units includes a second bolt having a second bolt head configured to threadedly engage said structural connecting end, and a second bolt shaft which extends from said second bolt head in the second direction through said first smaller-dimension through hole of the corresponding one of said main connecting units and said second smaller-dimension through hole of the corresponding one of said first connecting units to terminate at a second shaft end, and a second plug having a second plug head configured to threadedly engage said structural connecting end, and a second plug stem which extends from said second plug head in the second direction, and which is configured to threadedly engage said second shaft end, wherein each of said second connecting end segments of each of said second connecting units has a corresponding one of said second bolt head and said second plug head. 